Irene Halliday RSW (Scottish) Gouache - Fish House Arbroath Scottish 21x12.5 cm

Original Gouache

Irene May Halliday R.S.W. - Gouache on paper
“Fish House, Brothock Wall”

A finely observed Scottish coastal study rooted in the architecture of Arbroath

Key Details

Artist: Irene May Halliday R.S.W. (1931–2023)
Title: “Fish House, Brothock Wall”
Medium: Gouache on paper
Support: Paper
Signature: Signed lower left
Dimensions: Image: 21 × 12.5 cm (8.3 × 4.9 in)
Condition: Good overall condition with fresh, stable colours; no visible foxing or staining.
Provenance: From the artist’s studio or estate

Description

A finely observed Scottish coastal study by the accomplished R.S.W. artist Irene May Halliday, rooted in the architecture of Arbroath. This original gouache depicts a whitewashed fish house along the Brothock Wall, with the composition centred on the solid geometry of the building itself. Carefully modulated whites and greys are set against simplified surrounding forms, demonstrating Halliday’s disciplined handling of structure and tone.

Her restrained east coast palette and confident approach to form give the work a quiet authority and timeless coastal character. Small, resolved works such as this are highly representative of Halliday’s practice and are particularly sought after by collectors of Scottish coastal and architectural painting. The presence of the original artist’s studio label verso further strengthens the work’s authenticity and appeal.

About the Artist

Irene May Halliday was born in Kingsmuir, Scotland, in 1931 and studied at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee between 1948 and 1953, where she was taught by Alberto Morrocco. She was elected to the Royal Scottish Society of Painters in Watercolour in 1955 and went on to exhibit widely, including at the Royal Academy, the Royal Scottish Academy and the Royal Glasgow Institute of the Fine Arts. Halliday held senior teaching positions in England, including Head of Art and Design at Didsbury College of Education, and was a visiting professor at the State University College, Buffalo, New York. Her work is held in numerous public collections, including Aberdeen Art Gallery, City Art Centre Edinburgh, Lillie Art Gallery and the University of Dundee. In 2002 she returned to live in Arbroath, where the coastal architecture continued to inspire her later work.

Estimated Date

Late 20th century

Provenance & Notes

From the artist’s studio or estate. Original handwritten studio label attached verso with Angus address. Genuine original artwork, not a reproduction.